Advair
Advair is a medication used to treat asthma in children and adults by helping to prevent future attacks and improving overall lung health and functioning. Advair is meant to be used as a maintenance medication and does not stop an asthma attack once it occurs. Quick acting emergency medications will often be prescribed in conjunction with Advair in case of acute asthma attack. In addition to providing relief for asthmatics, Advair is also used to treat patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Advair is a combination of Fluticasone, a corticosteroid which reduces inflammation of the bronchial tubes and lining, and Salmeterol, a bronchodilator which relaxes the muscles surrounding the airways. Working in conjunction with each other, the two medications help to maintain clearer, more relaxed airways thereby improving lung functioning and helping to prevent the spasm of asthma attacks.
Advair comes in diskus inhaler form which contains pre measured dosages of the medication contained in individual blister packs. The device opens the individual dose upon use and allows for direct delivery of the medication into the patient’s lungs. Due to the special design of the Advair diskus, it is important to read and follow the enclosed instructions carefully to avoid misuse and gain optimal benefits.
Advair can lower the amount of red blood cells in the body leaving the patient more susceptible to illness. It is advised that people undergoing Advair treatment take extra measures to avoid cold and flu germs. In addition to being more likely to get sick due to suppressed immune system, a cold or flu can become more serious in those individuals with already compromised lung function.
Possible side effects of Advair include headache, dizziness, dry mouth and vomiting. These side effects are generally not considered to be serious or put the patient at elevated risk. However, more serious side effects could signal an intolerance or drug interaction and include chest pain, difficulty breathing, a worsening of asthma symptoms and white patches on the lips or mouth. Medical assistance should be sought immediately if any of these reactions occur.
Disclaimer: Cliff Schaffer does not personally endorse or support any of the comments made within the writings of this article. |
